I’m thrilled my story “Air So Thick” won top honors in the WOW! Women on Writing Summer 2019 Flash Contest! Check it out, and while you’re there, take a look at the other fantastic stories featured.
“Air So Thick” is one of several stories inspired by my childhood growing up in the Oklahoma panhandle, where I learned to hate the wind. Gusts up to 60 mph were a daily occurrence, whipping grit into your eyes and mouth, and scouring the skin on your bare legs if you were foolish enough to wear shorts on a bad day.
As bad as I thought I had it, my grandparents suffered so much more.
Dire monikers were coined to describe their place and time — the Dirty 30s, Tornado Alley, the Dust Bowl. Their childhood years were scarred by environmental disaster and economic ruin.
“… a dust cloud … hundreds of miles wide and thousands of feet high … it turned a sunny day totally dark.” –History.com
Reminders of the Dust Bowl still lingered into the 1970s, when I so dearly wished for a clear day to play outside. It makes no sense for me to write about this thing that I despise, but I keep coming back to the topic. Guess my grandparents’ stories still haunt me.
Several of my other Black Sunday stories are out there with various publications right now. I hope some of them are accepted.
Wish me luck and calm air.
Thank you, Mona. I appreciate your support!
Congrats again. Loved the story. I love it that you are getting recognized for your talent. 🙂 ❤